Govt chief whip admits failing to declare £2,000 donation
Government Chief Whip Tom Kitt has admitted failing to declare a donation of £2,000 that he received from developer Chris Jones in 1992.
Mr Kitt made the admission while being cross-examined at the Mahon Tribunal today.
The tribunal is investigating the rezoning of lands at Ballycullen in south Co Dublin belonging to Mr Jones.
Former political lobbyist Frank Dunlop has claimed he bribed several councillors in return for their support on the rezoning motion.
Mr Kitt was a member of Dublin County Council until February 1992, eight months before the body voted on the rezoning motion.
Mr Jones told the tribunal last month that he gave a £2,000 donation to Mr Kitt in November 1992, while the politician was campaigning for a Dáil seat.
Mr Kitt never declared the donation to the tribunal.
In his evidence today, he said he simply didn't recall the payment because he was busy on the hustings and his election staff were responsible for dealing with such matters.
